IntroductionCitizenship
is a subject that you will be running into every year that you are in cadets.
There will be a little bit of theory and plenty of practice. You might
be asked to participate in the Terry Fox run, visit a senior citizen's
home, prepare Christmas baskets for the underprivileged, plant trees or
help other community groups in your neighbourhood. The best way to be a
good citizen is to get out into the community and help out! So what are
you waiting for?

Definition
of a CitizenAll people born in this
country are considered to be Canadian citizens. Likewise, anyone born to a
Canadian parent is considered to be aCanadian
citizen. Canadian Citizenship can also be achieved by
applying for citizenship and passing a citizenship test. Canadawelcomes about 100 000 new citizens through immigration each year.

What does Canadian Citizenship mean?
Canadian history and traditions have created a country where our values include
toleranceand respect for cultural differences, and a
commitment to socialjustice. We are proud of the fact
that we are a peaceful nation and thatwe are accepted
in many places around the world as peacekeepers.

Canadian Values:

Equality – we respect everyone's
rights, including the right to speak out and express ideas that the others
might disagree with.Governments have to treat
everyone with dignity and respect,which are both
fundamental to our form of democracy;

Tolerance – we try to understand and
appreciate the cultures, customs and traditions of our neighbours;

Peace – we are proud of our
non-violent society and our international role
as peacekeepers; and,

Law and Order – we respect
democratic decision making and the "rule of law". We promote due process so
that the courtsand the police will treat everyone
fairly and reasonably, and weensure that our
elected governments remain accountable to Canadians.

The
Canadian Human Rights Act (1977) The idea behind the act is that
people should not be placed at a disadvantage simply because of their age, sex,
race, or any other ground covered by the Act. That is calleddiscrimination and is against the law. The Canadian Human Rights Act bans
it in federal or federally regulated organizations, and the provincesand territories have similar laws forbidding discrimination in their
areas of jurisdiction.

Under the Canadian Human Rights Act, it
is against the law to discriminate on the basis of: race, colour, National or
ethnic origin,religion, age, sex (including pregnancy
and childbearing), marital status,family status,
physical or mental disability (including dependence on alcohol or drugs),
pardoned criminal conviction or sexual orientation.

It is also against the law for a person
against whom a complaint has been filed to retaliate or threaten retaliation
against the individual who filedthe complaint, or
against the alleged victim.

Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1981)

Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms
– " Guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such
reasonable limits by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and
democratic society."

Fundamental Freedoms – "
Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: freedom of conscience and
religion; freedom of thought,belief, opinion, and
expression, including freedom of the press and other
media of communication; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of
association."

Democratic Rights – " Every
citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the house
of commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership
therein."

Mobility Rights – “Every citizen
of Canada has the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada. Every citizen of
Canada and every personwho has the status of a
permanent resident of Canada has the right: to move to and take up residence in
any province; and to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province."

Legal Rights – " Everyone has
the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be
deprived thereof except in accordance with the principals of fundamental
justice."

Equality Rights – " Every
individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal
protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in
particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin,
colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability."

Official Languages of Canada – "
English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of
status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of
the parliament and government of Canada."

Enforcement – " Anyone whose
rights or freedoms, as guaranteed by this Charter, have been infringed or denied
may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain such remedy as the
court considers appropriate and just in the circumstances."

Guide to the Canadian Charter of Human Rights - This guide is published by the Human Rights
Directorate of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Its aim is to increase
understanding of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to heighten
awareness of its importance in our daily lives.

Responsibilities
As a citizen you have a responsibility to:

vote in elections;

help others in the community;

care for and protect our heritage
and environment;

obey Canadian laws;

express opinions freely while
respecting the rights and freedoms of others; and,

eliminate discrimination and
injustice.

The most important rights and
privileges for a Canadian citizen are to vote and run for office. Only a
Canadian citizen can run for office in a federal election.

The Oath
of Citizenship

“ I, (name in full), swear/affirm
that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, according to
law and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my
duties as a Canadian citizen.”

National AnthemCanada has a National Anthem. It is titled "O Canada". The music
was composed by Caliza Lavallee. The French lyrics were written by Sir
Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The English lyrics were written by R. Stanley
Weir. The official version was proclaimed by the Canadian Government on
1 July 1980 by Bill C36. The words are printed in both official languages.
Every cadet must know the words to the National Anthem in at least one
official language.

O CANADAO
Canada! Our home and native land!True
patriot love in all thy sons command.With
glowing hearts we see thee rise,The
true North strong and free!From
far and wide, O Canada,We
stand on guard for thee.God
keep our land glorious and free!O
Canada, we stand on guard for thee.O
Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

The Canadian Flag
and AnthemA flag is often used
to represent a people and their common history. Canada has used five flags
throughout its development.

In
the 15th century, the flag of Great Britain was the St.
George's Cross. This flag was probably the first one flown in Canada.
It was carried here by the explorer John Cabot who reached North America
in 1497.

Another
flag to fly over settlements in Canada was the flag of Royal France. This
flag was raised by Jacques Cartier when he first landed at Gaspe harbour
in 1534.

+=After its creation in 1606,
the Union Jack was flown over British settlements
in Newfoundland and later in Nova Scotia.

+=

The
Red
Ensign was created in 1707. In 1892, the Red Ensign was first authorized
for use among Canadian ships at sea.

In
1924, a Canadian order-in-council provided that the Canadian
Red Ensign could be displayed at Canadian Government buildings abroad.
Another order-in-council in 1945 authorized the use of the same flag on
federal buildings inside and outside of Canada until Parliament took action
toward formal adoption of a national Flag.

The
present National Flag adopted by Parliament
was proclaimed by Her Majesty the Queen on 15 February 1965. The flag is
red with a white square in the centre which contains an eleven pointed
maple leaf. the national Flag is always twice as long as it is wide so
that it forms a square when folded in half. The national colours of red
and white were given to Canada by King George V on 21 November 1921.

The
National Flag can be flown by individuals or organizations as long as it
is treated with dignity and respect and can be displayed properly.

The
flag is flown daily from sunrise to sunset at all government buildings,
airports and military bases.

Your
Turn...

1.
The present National Flag of Canada was proclaimed by Her majesty the Queen
on 15 February, 1965.

True
or False

2.
The National anthem was used long before its proclamation date of 1 July
1980.